Behind the Mic: Part Two

Friday, we brought you the man behind the radio mic of the Red Deer Rebels -- Cam Moon. In this final part of the feature, we asked Cam to weigh in on issues ranging from how the WHL has evolved over the years to giving us some feedback on various prospects that have passed through town in the six or so years he's been there. We also couldn't resist getting his thoughts on the NHL lockout.

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McKeen's: In 1999, Brent Sutter bought the Rebels and took over as head coach and GM. You’ve been there through his entire tenure. Talk about what he has meant; not only to the team’s attitude, but to the community.

Moon: The team instantly took a ‘never say die’ attitude and has not changed since 1999. He gets the most out of these players and knows what it takes to get to the NHL. He also knows what it takes to be a good person and these players learn that here too.

The community has embraced Brent and the team. Attendance is strong partly due to the product that Brent, and the rest of the coaching staff, has developed on the ice and the very good economy in Central Alberta. The fact that Brent played here with the Red Deer Rustlers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and won a Centennial Cup in 1980 and comes back with the Rebels and won the 2001 Memorial Cup didn’t hurt either.

McKeen's: The name Sutter in hockey circles is synonymous with “hard work”. How does Brent translate his on-ice work ethic as an NHL player to his role with a WHL team? Do you think everything he says comes with an extra bit of credibility just because of his family’s legendary reputation, especially in Alberta?

Moon: Red Deer Rebels players are expected to work hard every game and every practice. That is demanded from the players that put on the Rebels jersey. Brent has really helped instill great pride in wearing the jersey. He does have great credibility, not only because of what he accomplished as a player, but what he has accomplished here as a coach.

McKeen's: What does the WHL mean to you personally?

Moon: I love this league. I loved it when I was growing up and I idolized the players. It never changed when I was able to play in the league. It was some of the best times in my life being able to play in the WHL and I still keep in touch with some of my teammates. I learned all about coming to work every day and having to put in a good effort. If you don’t do that as a player, your services will no longer be required. That lesson in itself is extremely valuable.

The WHL is one of the best junior leagues anywhere.

McKeen's: How do you think the WHL style of play has evolved since you played 15 years ago– or has it?

Moon: It has, like the NHL, become more of a defensively responsible game. Scoring is down in this league since the 1980’s: just like the NHL. There is less fighting than during that time too. The WHL has expanded to 20 teams; in the late 80’s there were 14 teams in this league. I would say that much like the NHL, the expansion has meant less impact players per team.

McKeen's: We often hear how the game in the NHL has changed because of the players getting bigger and stronger. How noticeable has this been for you at the junior level?

Moon: The time when the 5’8” – 5’10” skilled player had a spot in the WHL is becoming less and less. That’s not to say that the smaller player has no place in the WHL; in fact there are still many guys in the league that are around that size that contribute to their team’s success. We just don’t see it as much anymore. It’s really no different than the NHL in that regard. The 6’4” 220lbs. defenseman used to be a rarity; now it’s far more common.

McKeen's: One thing that can get overlooked by the media is that it can be a tough adjustment for teens in the WHL. It’s often the first time they’re away from loved ones for extended periods of time. You've been through it. What helps the guys make the best of the situation? Do you think it’s gotten any easier with the Internet and cell phones?

Moon: Certainly the cell phones and the internet provide more links to home for the players. Your teammates soon become like part of your family. Sure, most of these players are away from home; but they are with their teammates every day and the friendships made while playing junior hockey will last a lifetime. It doesn’t take too long for players to make the adjustment.

McKeen's: Tell us about Dion Phaneuf. How good can this kid get and what has been the biggest area of improvement in his game during the three years he’s been with the Rebels?

Moon: Dion is going to be a very good player in the NHL and he has all-star potential. His poise with the puck has continually improved over time in Red Deer. He’s also increased his strength and his shot has improved to the point where he has one of the best blasts from the point in the WHL. He doesn’t panic with the puck and he always makes the smart play.

McKeen's: I’m going to name off a few Rebels from recent seasons and I’d like you to briefly give me your impressions on them; strengths, weaknesses and general observations.

McKeen's: Cam Ward, G, CAR (2002, 1st round, 25th overall)

Moon: One of the best goalies I’ve seen play in the WHL. He plays his best games in the biggest games. He makes the game look easy with great positioning. Cam has very good rebound control and plays the game with a calm, confident demeanor.

McKeen's: Boyd Gordon, F, WAS (2002, 1st round, 17th overall)

Moon: Boyd is a very skilled two-way forward. He can really take care of his own end and skates very well. He is a quiet guy with a sharp wit.

McKeen's: Matt Keith, F, CHI (2001, 2nd round, 59th overall)

Moon: Matt is a power forward type that likes to stay in front of the net and shovel home his goals. He will drive to the net and will take a hit to make a play.

McKeen's: Jeff Woywitka, D, EDM (2001, 1st round, 27th overall)

Moon: Jeff likes to carry the puck and does it well. He has a strong stride and gets himself out of trouble because he skates well. I really think he will challenge for a job in Edmonton soon.

McKeen's: Mikhail Yakubov, F, CHI (2001, 1st round, 10th overall)

Moon:

Mikhail has great skill with the puck. He is more of a set up guy than a finisher, but he will get his goals too. When Mikhail first came to the Rebels he didn’t speak much English, but once his English became better, he turned out to have great sense of humor. He must’ve had five or six empty net goals with the Rebels. He could hit an empty net from anywhere on the ice. His shooting percentage on those empties was likely 100%.

McKeen's: Colby Armstrong, F, PIT (2001, 1st round, 21st overall)

Moon:

Colby plays the game with an agitating style and when he’s at his best, the opposition is upset with him. I don’t see him as a big time scorer, but he can play in his own end and can be a real pain.

McKeen's: Only a handful of guys can be a first round pick in the NHL and many impact players end up coming from the later rounds. Including the 2005 draft crop and going back to include the past few years, who are some Rebels that stick out in your mind as sleepers that have a chance to make their mark in the NHL?

Moon: Jim Vandermeer was never taken in the NHL draft but signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Flyers when he was a 20-year old in Red Deer. Last season he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks and I feel he has the potential to be a top-4 defenseman in NHL.

Matt Ellison was a fourth round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2002. He played in the AHL last season and played a little in Chicago. He has very good skill with the puck and plays the game tough.

Derek Meech was a seventh round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. He played with the Canadian National Junior Team last year and just finished four years in Red Deer. He will play in the AHL this season, but I could see Derek making the NHL somewhere down the road. He is as smart a defenseman as I’ve been able to watch here. He skates well, and shoots the pucks well, but is not really big. He comes in around 5’11” and 190 pounds, but I would never bet against this guy. He is a winner in every sense of the word.

McKeen's: Who are some of the guys that are entering their draft year for 2005 around the WHL that have peaked your interest and why?

Moon: Gilbert Brule of the Vancouver Giants is a very dynamic forward. He has great skill with the puck.

I keep hearing that Carey Price (G, Tri-City) is the real deal, but I haven’t been able to see him play yet.

McKeen's: You see teams from around the league night in and night out. Who are some of the highly-touted players you’ve seen in the past six years of calling games for the Rebels that have just amazed you?

Moon: When Martin Erat played with the Rebels in 2001, his speed and ability to handle the puck was unbelievable.

Jay Bouwmeester played with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He had such a fluid skating motion and was a pleasure to watch.

Robyn Regehr was a solid defenseman with the Kamloops Blazers. He never got beat one-on-one and played very tough.

Jarret Stoll was a dangerous player with the Kootenay Ice. He played well in his own end, could score goals, and rarely lost a face-off.

McKeen's: In your playing career you were a goalie, so I have to ask: in the time that you’ve been watching WHL games from the booth, who are some of the best keepers you’ve seen and what do you think makes them so amazing?

Moon: Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels – he made the extraordinary, ordinary

Dan Blackburn, Kootenay Ice – looked like a pro the moment he stepped on the ice in this league

McKeen's: Players make a ton of dough in the NHL these days. Do you think the rising salaries over the past decade have changed why some kids get into the game in the first place? Do you see any less passion for the game than when you played?

Moon: It does give them a bigger carrot on the end of the stick, but if there is not a great desire to play this game, it usually gets weeded out before they get to the WHL. I would have to say that the passion for the game is still very strong.

McKeen's: What kind of differences in training & off-season conditioning have you noticed from the time when you played, as compared with today?

Moon: The players’ off-season conditioning is more prominent now than ever before. These players keep themselves in great shape all year. The focus on nutrition is also far better than ever before.

McKeen's: You’ve done your fair share of instruction at various summer hockey schools. What percentage of camp attendees would you guess actually come in with the right attitude about getting as much out of the experience as they can?

Moon: I would say about 80% with the younger kids. There always seems to be that 20% that are just there because their parents wanted them to go. Although as the kids get older, the percentages that don’t want to be there goes down.

McKeen's: How crucial are power skating schools?

Moon: Huge. If you can’t skate well, hockey isn’t nearly as fun.

McKeen's: You don’t have to pick sides, but what are your general thoughts on the CBA situation in the NHL?

Moon: I don’t much care to hear about how negotiations are going; I just want to know when it’s over. If millionaires are going to fight with billionaires, I really don’t care to know the details. Ticket prices in the NHL have now priced themselves out of my range; they can stay locked out for five years for all I care. There is no shortage of great hockey in Canada. The WHL, University hockey, Junior ‘A’, and the ‘AAA’ midgets are all great leagues with exciting games. There are many options.